Nigerian Lawmakers Move to Bar Civil Servants from Private Schools and Hospitals
Recent reports from July 22-23, 2025, indicate that Nigeria's House of Representatives has introduced a controversial bill that seeks to prohibit all public and civil servants, along with their immediate family members, from patronizing private educational institutions and healthcare services. The bill, titled "A Bill for an Act to Prohibit Public and Civil Servants from Patronizing Private Schools and Health Care Services and for Related Matters (HB 2487)" or "Private Institutions and Health Care Service Providers (Prohibition) Bill, 2025," has successfully passed its first reading and, according to some sources, its second reading in the House of Representatives, signaling its progression through the legislative process.
Here's more information on this significant legislative move:
Purpose of the Bill:
Restore Public Confidence: The primary aim of this proposed legislation is to revitalize and restore public confidence in Nigeria's often neglected public education and healthcare systems.
Compel Reliance on Public Services: The bill's sponsor, Hon. Amobi Godwin Ogah (representing Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency of Abia State), argues that compelling government officials and their families to use public schools and hospitals will force them to invest in and improve the very institutions they oversee.
Avoid Conflict of Interest: Ogah stated that the bill seeks to "avoid conflicts of interest, maintain public trust, and ensure high, uncompromised standards and integrity" of public institutions.
End "Medical and Educational Tourism": A key driver for the bill is to curb the significant capital flight and national embarrassment caused by Nigerian officials frequently seeking medical treatment and education abroad. Ogah cited figures, noting that Nigerians spent an estimated $29.29 billion on foreign medical expenses during the eight-year administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, and $38.17 million on foreign education between January and March 2024 alone.
Arguments by the Sponsor (Hon. Amobi Ogah):
He argues that the growing preference among public officials for private and foreign institutions has led to the decay of public facilities, making them "a shadow of themselves, with little or no infrastructural development and fallen standards of services."
Ogah believes that if the government could remove petroleum subsidies, it must also take bold steps to reform public service behavior by passing this bill.
He emphasized that it "does not speak well of our country that our Presidents and notable government functionaries are seen to be going abroad for medical treatment and even dying in the process."
He also noted the bill aligns with calls for a "national rebirth" and a renewed sense of ownership in public institutions.
Current Status:
The bill has passed its first reading and, as reported by some news outlets as of July 22, 2025, also its second reading in the House of Representatives.
It is now expected to proceed to committee consideration, public hearings, and further debate in the coming weeks before a final vote.
Precedents and Challenges:
Similar attempts to restrict public officials from foreign medical trips have been made in previous legislative assemblies but have ultimately failed, including a bill thrown out in 2019.
The current proposal will likely face significant debate and potential opposition due to its broad implications for civil servants and their families, as well as questions about its enforceability and potential impact on fundamental rights.
This bill represents a strong legislative push to enforce accountability and stimulate investment in Nigeria's public services, a move that, if successful, could have far-reaching effects on the quality of public infrastructure and services across the nation.
I'm Aisha shehu
Talksocialtalka News
